Comment on Panthers vs. Canadiens preview: Tinordi in lineup for Habs (2015-02-19 17:32:17)I believe players are draft-eligible from age 18-20. If not drafted in that timeframe they are free to sign with whomever wants them. A player can get drafted and refuse to sign for 2 years in which case the drafting team gets a compensatory pick (see habs/David Fisher)
You don't get to not enter the draft, if a team drafts you they own your rights for those 2 years (or is it 3?)
Now that I think on it further, I believe if you don't sign you go back into the draft as a 20 year old. If still not drafted, then you are a FA.
"man, I love winnin'; you know, it's like better than losin'?"-
Ebby Calvin "Nuke" Laloosh

Comment on Panthers vs. Canadiens preview: Tinordi in lineup for Habs (2015-02-19 17:24:26)Jean Beliveau.
Habs wanted him in Mtl. but he refused and played with the Aces for, I believe $100K. Huge money back then. Finally agreed to come play for the Habs when they backed up the proverbial Brinks truck for him.
I know it's before the draft ever existed, but the fact remains that the Habs owned the rights to Le Gros Jean and he refused to play.
It did rather work out in the end.
"man, I love winnin'; you know, it's like better than losin'?"-
Ebby Calvin "Nuke" Laloosh